OPT Jobs in Kentucky
Kentucky's F-1 OPT sponsorship activity is concentrated in Louisville and Lexington, with strong demand across healthcare, manufacturing, engineering, and logistics. Major employers in the state's horse industry, bourbon sector, and growing tech corridor regularly hire international students on OPT.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Pharmacy Senior Technician II/UKHC
Requisition Number: RE56334
Working Title: Pharmacy Senior Technician II/UKHC - BCP Trainer
Department Name: H5000: CHANDLER - RETAIL PHARMACY
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 09
Salary Range: $21.00-34.29/hour
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education: AS
Required Related Experience: 2 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification: Nationally certified Pharmacy Technician by either PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT); Registered with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy within 30 days of hire.
Physical Requirements: May include standing for greater than 5 hours at a time and possibly walking several miles per day. May require the ability to reach items above shoulder level and be able to lift up to 25 pounds.
Shift: Primarily working shifts of Monday through Friday, Hours, location, and days of the week may vary based on the training needs of new staff who may work later hours, and may include weekends and holidays to facilitate coverage and training.
Job Summary:
UK HealthCare is seeking compassionate, detail-oriented individuals who want to join our growing retail pharmacy team servicing UK HealthCare patients, students, faculty, staff, and community members. The selected candidate performs basic pharmacy senior technician I duties of filling, billing, and dispensing which includes processing prescription refills, renewals, and new prescriptions at patient facing or patient support phone stations as allowed by KY Board of Pharmacy law. Some more advanced functions may require CPhT certification. In addition to basic technician duties, provides training and technical support for the ambulatory pharmacy services locations and is essential to providing the necessary onboarding training of pharmacists and technicians. Also performs the duties of daily scheduling of technical staff. The Pharmacy Senior Technician II will demonstrate excellent customer service skills while interacting with all patients, faculty, and staff. UK Retail Pharmacy Services is committed to providing outstanding patient care to those who choose UK HealthCare. The Pharmacy Senior Technician II position requires the candidate to register with the KY Board of Pharmacy within 30 days of hire or on the first day on the job if previous registration has lapsed. UK HealthCare offers candidates who do not currently hold a National Pharmacy Technician certification the opportunity to gain the 500 hours of on-the-job experience required to be able to obtain your certification. UK HealthCare provides a pharmacy technician career ladder to eligible candidates who possess National Pharmacy Technician Certification obtained through PTCB or NHA (ExCPT).
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities:
This position requires dependability and the ability to prioritize. The successful candidate must be reliable and demonstrate excellent attention to detail.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience:
Associate or bachelor’s degree and hospital and/or retail pharmacy technician experience preferred.
Deadline to Apply: 11/05/2026
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Job Title: Pharmacy Senior Technician II/UKHC
Requisition Number: RE56334
Working Title: Pharmacy Senior Technician II/UKHC - BCP Trainer
Department Name: H5000: CHANDLER - RETAIL PHARMACY
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 09
Salary Range: $21.00-34.29/hour
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education: AS
Required Related Experience: 2 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification: Nationally certified Pharmacy Technician by either PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT); Registered with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy within 30 days of hire.
Physical Requirements: May include standing for greater than 5 hours at a time and possibly walking several miles per day. May require the ability to reach items above shoulder level and be able to lift up to 25 pounds.
Shift: Primarily working shifts of Monday through Friday, Hours, location, and days of the week may vary based on the training needs of new staff who may work later hours, and may include weekends and holidays to facilitate coverage and training.
Job Summary:
UK HealthCare is seeking compassionate, detail-oriented individuals who want to join our growing retail pharmacy team servicing UK HealthCare patients, students, faculty, staff, and community members. The selected candidate performs basic pharmacy senior technician I duties of filling, billing, and dispensing which includes processing prescription refills, renewals, and new prescriptions at patient facing or patient support phone stations as allowed by KY Board of Pharmacy law. Some more advanced functions may require CPhT certification. In addition to basic technician duties, provides training and technical support for the ambulatory pharmacy services locations and is essential to providing the necessary onboarding training of pharmacists and technicians. Also performs the duties of daily scheduling of technical staff. The Pharmacy Senior Technician II will demonstrate excellent customer service skills while interacting with all patients, faculty, and staff. UK Retail Pharmacy Services is committed to providing outstanding patient care to those who choose UK HealthCare. The Pharmacy Senior Technician II position requires the candidate to register with the KY Board of Pharmacy within 30 days of hire or on the first day on the job if previous registration has lapsed. UK HealthCare offers candidates who do not currently hold a National Pharmacy Technician certification the opportunity to gain the 500 hours of on-the-job experience required to be able to obtain your certification. UK HealthCare provides a pharmacy technician career ladder to eligible candidates who possess National Pharmacy Technician Certification obtained through PTCB or NHA (ExCPT).
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities:
This position requires dependability and the ability to prioritize. The successful candidate must be reliable and demonstrate excellent attention to detail.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience:
Associate or bachelor’s degree and hospital and/or retail pharmacy technician experience preferred.
Deadline to Apply: 11/05/2026
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Search F-1 OPT Jobs by Industry in Kentucky
Tips for Finding OPT Jobs in Kentucky
Target Louisville's healthcare and hospital systems
Louisville is home to major healthcare employers including Norton Healthcare and UofL Health. These systems regularly hire international students in clinical research, health informatics, and biomedical roles that qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship.
Look into Kentucky's manufacturing and engineering corridor
Toyota, Ford, and GE Appliances operate large facilities in Kentucky and frequently hire engineers and technical staff on OPT. Roles in mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineering consistently appear among sponsored positions in the state.
Leverage your university's career center before OPT starts
Universities like University of Kentucky and University of Louisville maintain employer partnerships specifically for international students. Attending on-campus recruiting events before your OPT start date gives you a head start on positions that accommodate OPT timelines.
Search for OPT-specific openings on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters jobs by visa type, so you can search F-1 OPT sponsorship roles in Kentucky without wading through listings from employers that don't sponsor. This saves significant time when your OPT window is limited.
Focus on STEM-designated programs if your degree qualifies
STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your degree's CIP code, not just your field. Confirm your program qualifies before applying, then prioritize employers in Kentucky's engineering, computer science, and data analytics sectors that regularly file STEM OPT extensions.
Connect with Lexington's equine and agribusiness research network
Lexington's unique concentration of equine industry employers and agricultural research institutions creates niche OPT opportunities in veterinary science, animal nutrition, and agricultural technology that are rarely advertised through conventional channels.
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Get Access To All JobsF-1 OPT Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Kentucky sponsor the most F-1 OPT visas?
Healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and engineering sponsor the highest volume of F-1 OPT positions in Kentucky. Louisville's hospital systems and healthcare companies, along with automotive manufacturers like Toyota and Ford in central Kentucky, generate consistent demand. Information technology and logistics roles at companies tied to UPS's Worldport hub in Louisville also produce a notable share of OPT sponsorships.
Which cities in Kentucky have the most F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Louisville and Lexington account for the large majority of F-1 OPT sponsorship activity in Kentucky. Louisville leads due to its concentration of healthcare systems, logistics operations, and manufacturing headquarters. Lexington follows with opportunities tied to the University of Kentucky's research enterprise, the equine industry, and a growing technology sector. Bowling Green has a smaller but active manufacturing presence.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Kentucky?
Roles that directly apply your degree field are the primary requirement for F-1 OPT eligibility. In Kentucky, qualifying positions commonly include software development, mechanical and electrical engineering, clinical research coordination, supply chain analysis, data analytics, and laboratory science. The job does not need to be labeled as sponsored, but the work must be directly related to your declared major and be at least 20 hours per week.
How do I find F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters job listings by visa type, making it straightforward to find Kentucky employers open to F-1 OPT candidates. Beyond job boards, attending career fairs at University of Kentucky and University of Louisville, reaching out to international student offices for employer referrals, and networking through professional associations in engineering and healthcare can all surface opportunities that never appear in public listings.
Are there any Kentucky-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship I should know about?
Kentucky does not have state-level work authorization requirements beyond standard federal OPT rules, but a few practical factors matter. Many of Kentucky's larger employers are traditional manufacturing or healthcare organizations that may have less experience with OPT paperwork than tech-heavy markets. It helps to proactively explain the OPT process to hiring managers early in conversations. Additionally, if you plan to pursue a STEM OPT extension, confirm your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, which is required for the extension application.